Letter from the NGO Task Force on the ACT Code of Conduct to the UN Security Council on the Worsening Situation in Yemen

20 July 2017

To United Nations Security Council Ambassadors,

Re: Worsening crisis in Yemen and need for United Nations Security Council Action

Following the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) briefing on 12 July, where senior UN officials warned of a dramatic worsening of the crisis in Yemen, we felt compelled to write to you as the NGO Task Force on the Code of Conduct regarding Security Council action against genocide, crimes against humanity or war crimes.

The Special Envoy for the Secretary-General has warned an escalation in violence is causing an 'appalling' humanitarian situation in Yemen. The Chief of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Stephen O'Brien, reported that 7 million people are at risk of famine, and highlighted that the UNSC has primary responsibility for this conflict and member states must do more. Other officials reported that the cholera outbreak, which has already killed over 1800 people, is unprecedented (affecting 22 out of 23 governorates) and warned that the disease will kill many more due to the collapse of basic health services and the fact that nearly 15 million people – over 55% of the population – do not have access to basic health care or clean water.

The dire humanitarian situation in Yemen is a man-made catastrophe – not a natural disaster. The ongoing armed conflict and the manner in which it is being fought only contributes to and exacerbates this humanitarian crisis. We call on all members of the UNSC to take immediate action to end violations of international humanitarian law by the parties to the conflict, prevent further deterioration of the humanitarian situation and ensure accountability.

113 UN member states – including eight current Security Council members – have endorsed the Accountability, Coherence and Transparency (ACT) group Code of Conduct and in doing so have pledged to support timely and decisive UNSC action to prevent or end the atrocity crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity or war crimes. Yemen is clearly an atrocity situation, as multiple briefings by senior UN officials have confirmed. Human rights organizations have gathered information showing that all parties to the conflict, including the Saudi Arabia-led coalition and the Houthi armed group and allied forces as well as anti-Houthi forces, have committed serious violations of international humanitarian law, which may amount to war crimes.

It is time for the UNSC to end its paralysis on Yemen and to take concrete steps to prevent mass atrocity crimes and thereby uphold its collective responsibility to maintain international peace and security as mandated in the UN Charter.

Specifically, we call on UNSC members to:

Ensure that measures related to protection of civilians and addressing the humanitarian crisis in the 15 June Presidential Statement (PRST) become actionable and are implemented in an expeditious manner. The UNSC must demonstrate its commitment to Yemen by asking the Special Envoy to report on progress made on each action point of this long-awaited statement. Thus far, in the five weeks since the statement was adopted, no action has been taken nor has a timeline been set for implementation;

Expand the UN arms embargo established under Resolution 2216 to prohibit the direct or indirect supply of weapons, munitions, military vehicles, spare parts and other military equipment or technology, or logistical and financial support for such supplies or in support of their military operations, to all parties to the conflict in Yemen, including the Saudi Arabia-led coalition, as long as a substantial risk remains that such arms could be used to commit serious violations of international law;

Demand the re-opening of the Sana'a airport for commercial flights so that additional humanitarian supplies can enter the country and people in need of medical treatment can be evacuated. Ensure that access to Yemen is granted for human rights researchers and journalists;

Demand that all parties to the conflict in Yemen fully comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law by ensuring that civilians and civilian objects are not targeted and that no indiscriminate or disproportionate attacks are carried out. All parties must allow and facilitate impartial humanitarian relief and protect vulnerable populations without discrimination on grounds of tribal, religious or political affiliations;

Demand that the parties to the conflict comply with their obligations under international human rights law and release all people who are arbitrarily detained, allow civil society organizations to operate freely, and investigate violations and ensure accountability for those responsible.

Document:

Restraining the veto

Subscribe to our mailing list

“We have nothing to lose except everything. So let's go ahead. This is the wager of our generation. If we are to fail, it is better, in any case, to have stood on the side of those who choose life than on the side of those who are destroying it.”

Albert Camus, Author

"Unless some effective supranational government can be set up and brought quickly into action, the prospects of peace and human progress are dark and doubtful."

Winston Churchill, British Prime Minister

"There must be, not a balance of power, but a community of power; not organized rivalries, but an organized common peace."

President Woodrow Wilson

"World federation is an idea that will not die. More and more people are coming to realize that peace must be more than an interlude if we are to survive; that peace is a product of law and order; that law is essential if the force of arms is not to rule the world."

William O. Douglas, Former U.S. Supreme Court Justice

“Science has made unrestricted national sovereignty incompatible with human survival. The only possibilities are now world government or death.”

Bertrand Russell, Philosopher

"Few organisations have sustained for so long the ambition of a better world, united in peace and committed to the ideals of the United Nations. In particular, WFM's support for the International Criminal Court has been critical in building a constituency of civil society and government actors engaged in the pursuit of justice. 10 years into that effort, WFM has much to celebrate."

Hon. Louise Arbour C.C., G.O.Q., President and CEO of International Crisis Group

“A federation of all humanity, together with a sufficient means of social justice to ensure health, education, and a rough equality of opportunity, would mean such a release and increase of human energy as to open a new phase in human history.”

H.G. Wells, Author

“For nearly five decades the World Federalists have worked to promote a strengthened UN and more effective institutions of global governance. I offer my personal endorsement. Now a great opportunity has opened for the realization of the dreams of the UN's founders.”

Walter Cronkite, Broadcast journalist

“There is no salvation for civilization, or even the human race, other than the creation of a world government.”

Albert Einstein, Scientist

"Your Movement has helped keep alive for fifty years the values which inspired the creation of the United Nations: the vision of a world prepared to act together against armed aggression, social ills and global threats, and united in its promotion of economic and social progress for all."

Former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan

“The work of the CICC, with like-minded states from around the world is a testament to what can be ac¬complished when civil society and governments work in partnership to bring about dramatic change.”

Jody Williams, Nobel Peace Laureate

"I send my very best wishes to all of you as you continue your important work in support of peace, justice and equality for all. Your credibility is well established and your voice is more important than ever in a world of increasing inequalities, continued injustices, and emerging conflicts. I believe as you do in the mobilization of civil society actors who exercise their fundamental right to participate in their own governance.”

The Honorable Louise Arbour

“I have great regard for the World Federalist Movement's efforts to advance international justice, human rights, peace and security, the freedom of expression, and sustainable development around the world. “